280 63 % Finished The Heiress Revived from the Ashes Chapter 197 Shattered Delusions Finished Lucass fingers gripped the metal frame of the wheelchair tightly , his knuckles turning white from the pressure .
The biting chill seeped into his bones , but it was nothing compared to the coldness he felt in his chest .
Does she really want to cut ties with me ? No ! I wouldnt allow it .
How can you say that ? We grew up together .
Were childhood sweethearts ! Lauren scoffed .
You might be my childhood friend , but youre not my father .
Who I associate with is none of your business .
Lucass face darkened instantly , his eyes full of jealousy and fury as they locked onto Gael .
Through clenched teeth , Laurie , have you forgotten our promise? You told me that once I made something of myself , youd always be by my side .
Lauren chuckled , the sound laced with mockery .
A deep , overwhelming sense of irony filled her chest .
Back in the orphanage , they had been each others only family .
She had once believed they would never be apart .
She had thrown herself into hard labor , participated in competitions , and fought tooth and nail for scholarships all for his sake .
Because of a single promise .
Ill become a lawyer and put everyone who hurt you behind bars .
She had been so foolishly entranced by those words .
She had worked tirelessly , sending every penny she earned to him in secret , making sure he never had to struggle the way other poor students did .
Even in her suffering , she had been happy , fueled by the dream that one day , Lucas would become a top lawyer , shielding her from the world .
Reality had been cruel .
Not only had he failed to bring justice to those who wronged her he had sent her to prison himself .
And the money she had painstakingly earned ? Not spent on books .
Not spent on necessities .
But on luxury sneakers , designer jackets , and watches worth thousands .
And worst of all , on gifts for Willow .
A socialite who never even wanted them .
Chapter 197 Shattered Delusions She had tossed his presents to the maids the moment she got home , too disgusted to keep them .
Lauren had never known .
63 % Finished She had been too used to poverty to recognize the price tags on Lucass clothes .
She had never questioned how a mere law student could afford a wardrobe worth nearly ten grand .
It wasnt until Gaels investigation into the Bennett family uncovered everything until she saw for herself how Lucas had spent years pretending to be someone he wasnt that she realized the truth .
The boy she once trusted had become greedy , selfish , and vain .
He was nothing but a parasite .
Her gaze turned ice cold .
A promise ? She let out a short , scornful laugh .
Lucas , do you really think you deserve to bring that up ? You ruined my life .
Did you honestly believe I would ever forgive you ? Have I not made my disgust clear enough since the day I got out of prison ? Youre not even worth calling a stranger .
At least a stranger wouldnt make me sick .
Every time I see you , I feel like throwing up .
Lucas visibly flinched , his body jerking as if he had been slapped .
A sickly red flush spread across his cheeks , a twisted mix of rage and humiliation .
No ! I didnt put you in prison ! Its you ! you brought that on yourself ! His voice trembled with desperation .
If you hadnt pushed Elaine down the stairs , if you hadnt turned her into a vegetable , none of this would have happened ! You were convicted because of your own actions ! Laurens expression turned ice cold .
Her patience snapped .
Without hesitation , she raised her hand and slapped him .
A sharp crack echoed through the air .
Are you blind or just deaf ? she spat .
Elaine woke up and proved I wasnt the one who did it .
How long are you going to keep pretending ? If it werent for you and the rest of them covering for Willow , Elaine would have pointed her out as the real culprit that very day ! And you still have the nerve to push the blame on me ? Youre disgusting .
Lucas sat there , stunned .
His mind went blank .
He refused to acknowledge his mistakes .
Because if he did if he admitted the truth then there was no future left for them .
So , he did what he had always done .
He forced the blame back onto her .
If she carried the burden of attempted murder , if she remained an outcast , then she would have no choice but to rely on him forever .
Sending her to prison had never been about justice .
15:32 Sun , 30 Mar N.
Chapter 197 Shattered Delusions It had been about control .
63 % Finished The moment he realized Kenneth had feelings for her , the moment he saw their engagement approaching , his world had cracked .
He hadnt wanted to see her in another mans arms .
So , he had destroyed her instead .
If he couldnt have her , then no one could .
And now , seeing her with Gael , seeing the way she had completely erased him from her life , his emotions spiraled out of control .